All things related to the Harry Potter fandom were developed by and belong to JK Rowling. I haven't received any money or gratuities for this story. Thank you JKR for your characters. OC's were developed in my mind.
A/N: Warning: This story contains the death of a character. Please do not proceed if this type of storyline upsets you. Thanks.
Previously on A Tale Of Two Wizards Full Circle: Chapter 3
"Come in. Please have a seat. I have news for you about the Memorial Service here as well as the London funeral service. Everything can be ready for a Wednesday, 2 pm service here in Italy. In addition, not only will I be able to have Mr. Malfoy's body back in London by Thursday, the 23rd, I have also been in touch with a superb Funeral Director on that end who has expressed extreme pride in being asked to assist Hermione Granger Malfoy and family in their time of need.
Both Hermione and Matt were pleased with how well things were going and were silently running names through their head trying to figure out who this funeral director could be.
They didn't have to wonder long, because Saverio came right out with it.
"You might remember Mr. Zacharias Smith. While his premises are located in Scotland, he has connections and associations which allow him to work out of London.
Matt looked puzzled, but Hermione spoke right up. "I do remember Zacharias. I don't think I've had any news of him for years."
"Zacharias is proprietor of Smith Funeral Services. He sends his regards and asked me to assure you he will take excellent care of Mr. Malfoy. Shall we go over his proposal?"
With all things falling in place, a somewhat relieved Hermione reached out to take Matt's hand. "Yes Saverio. We would very much like to hear Zacharias' proposal."
"Well then," said Saverio handing copies to Hermione and Matt. "Let's begin."
A Tale Of Two Wizards Full Circle: Chapter 4
By the time she and Matt had gone over the proposal from Smith Funeral Services, Hermione was able to breathe normally again. Zacharias' prospectus covered everything from receiving Draco's body to interring him in his designated plot or vault. All Hermione and Matt had to do was fill in the spaces.
The only space left open was the burial space. Hermione hadn't even thought that far ahead. She knew Draco refused to have his family buried anywhere near his father. They had talked about that. But being Draco, never thinking he would die early, he hadn't made any decision where the family should be buried.
However, for a fee, and if Hermione was interested, Smith Funeral Services could have as many as ten plots cordoned off for Malfoys in Wizarding London's lovely new cemetery. Zacharias Smith had enclosed several magical photos which showed an area encircled by exquisite greenery.
After a short discussion, Hermione allowed Matt to fill in that last space. With their signature, the Malfoy family and descendants had acquired an entire section of the cemetery.
Hermione almost felt guilty this was so easy. Saverio and Zacharias had lifted a heavy burden from her shoulders. By filling in a few spaces, she was now able to concentrate on her son and herself, because everything else was being handled.
Matt authorized a wand draft to cover the services of both Saverio and Mr. Smith before Hermione could argue.
"Let me do this for Draco Hermione. When you have a chance to sort through you and Draco's finances, you may reimburse me if you like. Otherwise, it's my duty to see that things go smoothly."
Hermione gave up without a fight, knowing she would probably have to defer to Matt in certain things anyway.
/*/
Saverio offered Hermione and Matt coffee, telling them he could get everything settled if they wanted to wait about thirty minutes. It was already 2:30, but they chose to wait rather than come back another day.
Over coffee, Hermione told Matt how glad she was that Carmela and Hannah had taken Scorp home, because it was turning out to be a long day. "I hope I have time to shower before we go to sit Draco's last day."
Matt patted Hermione's arm. "Don't worry. We'll have time."
Saverio came back in exactly thirty minutes with all ends tied up. Handing Matt and Hermione a packet each along with several extras, he assured them that the Milan memorial and the London funeral service were all set. Saverio thanked them for their business before escorting them to the door.
Hermione and Matt apparated back separately. Hermione to Carmela's and Matt home to Kim.
/*/
When she landed at Carmela's, Hermione hugged her two friends then looked in on a sleeping Scorpius. Giving her baby a kiss, she whispered in his ear. "We've taken care of daddy."
Hurrying through her shower, Hermione met Hannah at the floo. "Thank you for watching Scorp. I'll be back when I can."
Carmela hugged her adopted daughter. "I love you sweetie. Stay strong."
"I have to mum, for Scorpius," Hermione replied, before stepping into the floo.
Hermione and Hannah stepped out of the floo one behind the other coming face to face with Blaise, Theo, Greg and Harry.
"Before we go, I want to share something with you lot. Matt and I have taken care of everything with one visit. Saverio Cross is amazing. Draco will be fine. I'll share everything with the lot of you when we get back. None of you have been to sit with Draco yet, so I'm telling you it will be hard. Just pretend you sneaky gits are standing at our bedroom door watching him sleep. Thank you for doing this with me. Shall we go?"
/*/
Emilio was restless. His normal Saturday had gone out of the window. Instead of stopping in the Ministry to check on things, he had taken a portkey to Belgium to see Celia. He had taken good care of his sister once she was released from prison and they had become closer than they'd been at any time during their lives.
Celia had only been back to the family estate two or three times in the past five years. She felt as though Italy was not the place she wanted to be. Emilio had tried to explain that nobody was dwelling on the past, but Celia remained adamant that Belgium was the place she wanted to be.
Emilio landed on Celia's front stairs hoping he wasn't interrupting anything.
He was. When his sister opened the door, Ron Weasley came through right behind her.
"Hello Emilio," Ron greeted easily. "What brings the Minister of Acquisitions to Belgium. I was just telling…
"Draco is dead," said Emilio cutting across Ron. "He had a fatal accident on the slopes of Alagna."
Ron wanted to say good riddance, but he chose to keep his mouth shut and grab Celia whose knees had buckled under her.
"I knew you'd want to know. I apologize for interrupting your weekend. Information about his memorial service in Italy and his funeral service in London will be forthcoming. I'll be getting back to Milan.
"We've never been great friends, but please give Hermione my regards," offered Celia sadly.
Emilio sighed. "I will if I can Celia. You need to stop by to see mum and dad to remind them they have a daughter."
/*/
Emilio was disappointed. He had gone to Belgium expecting to spend some time with his sister, but not with Weasley in attendance. Emilio knew it was silly, but even after all these years, he couldn't abide either Ron or Ginny Weasley. He probably should get over his aversion to Ron, because it looked like it was serious between him and Celia. What a muck up. Ron Weasley as a brother-in-law.
Back in Italy, Emilio turned his attention to his own life. As loathe as he was to admit it, his heart had been hammering in his chest for the last three days. Even though it was something he could hide from others, it wasn't something he could help. He'd been feeling exactly as he had back at the Ministry of Magic.
In the past, he'd done some foolish things, but that was the past. It had taken some time for him to get back in the good books of Theo, Blaise, Seamus and Harry, but slowly he had. They hadn't ever talked about it, but Emilio was sure they realized the truth when Hermione and Draco became a couple so quickly. They had to know Draco was sneaking around trying for Hermione's attention when he and Hermione were dating, but would never admit it.
Whatever, that was a long time ago. However, he was still in love. Since this was something he could only admit to himself, Emilio pushed those thoughts aside to concentrate on other things.
Pulling out his mobile, Emilio rang Marissa to ask if she was free for dinner, but had to leave a message when she didn't pick up.
Marissa was not who he wanted, but she was who would allow him to be in Hermione's company without question. What could anyone say to a wizard who approached the widow with a witch on his arm?
/*/
When Matt returned from seeing Saverio Cross, he and Kim sat down to a late lunch and discussed a few things. Kim asked Matt how long before he was expected in London. Matt hadn't really thought about it, but he could tell it bothered his wife.
"Sometime after Draco's funeral I imagine. There will have to be a changing of the guard, so to speak. Gas has been working closely with Draco. I'll have a conversation with him. I don't want to seem like I'm pushing anything, but I don't want to appear as though I'm failing in my responsibilities either. Don't worry love. It will work out. I'll give you notice, so you can apply for time away. We'll go to London together. How about we get out tonight. I'll call Emilio. Perhaps he'd like to get out as well."
"Sounds great love. I need a few hours away. Would you like pudding?"
/*/
While Kim was clearing up, Matt called to ask if Emilio wanted to get out for a bit. Emilio explained he had just left a message for Marissa, but hadn't heard back yet.
"Marissa? I thought she…. Never mind. Meet us here at the house so you can say hello. Most everyone is at Draco's last sitting, but should be back by the time you and Marissa get here. Let's call it for 8:00."
"Alright. 8:00 it is. Shall I bring…."
"Don't bring anything except yourself and your date. I already told Kim we'd go out, but I have the feeling there'll be a family dinner this evening because most of the family will want to stick close to Hermione and Scorpius. We'll see. I'll see you at 8:00."
Kim shared her thoughts. "I heard that Matt. If you want, I'll call Carmela and we can set out a nice dinner for everyone. We can go out anytime. A family dinner will be nice."
Matt grabbed Kim and pulled her to him. "I love it when you are brilliant. As long as you're not angry about staying in, I'm in agreement with a family dinner. You call Carmela. I'll call to ask Gas and Seana to floo through."
"Perfect."
"Love you babe." Matt said, leaving a kiss on Kim's shoulder.
/*/
Carmela and Kim were putting the finishing touches on dinner when the group that had gone for Draco's last sitting returned at 7:45.
After greeting the women, Hermione headed straight for Scorpius who was sitting on the couch looking a bit lost.
"Mum, mum, mum," Scorp called out running for his mum. He was so excited his speech disintegrated into a jumble of mumbo jumbo.
"Oh my. Has my little man learned to speak Italian while I was gone."
Scorpius gazed at his mum with wide eyes. "Tamo mum. Mela. Tamo." Then he turned to point at Carmela.
Harry laughed at Scorpius' performance, remarking that he knew more Italian than his uncle.
Ti amo," repeated Hermione before carrying Scorp over to a chair. "Nana Mela taught you some words. Thank you nana."
Carmela smiled at Scorpius as she made the dinner announcement. Kim and I thought it would be a good idea to have a nice, relaxing family dinner, and we won't take no for an answer. We want everyone around this table. Matt has enlarged everything that needs to be enlarged, so sit your arses down for a few minutes until we're finished."
Seth stepped out of the floo. "Hello everyone. Something smells delicious."
"Family dinner brother. Carmela and Kim want to feed you heathens before you hit the streets of Milan."
"Streets of London mate," interjected Blaise. "We have things to do."
Hermione also jumped into the conversation. "You may run the streets of London tonight, but Matt and I have some things we want to go over with you. Perhaps you all can make yourself available tomorrow around 6:00 pm? Is that enough time to run?"
Giving Hermione a sheepish look, Blaise answered for all the wizards. "Sunday at 6:00 will be fine. We'll be here. Right men?"
A chorus of affirmative answers filled the air.
"Thank you Lads."
Gas stepped out of the floo asking why Hermione was thanking the lads. "You do know you shouldn't thank them for anything, or they'll expect it all the time." Then he and Seana circled the room shaking hands and giving hugs.
Minutes after Gas and Seana arrived, the doorbell rang.
When Matt opened the door for Emilio and Marissa, the room erupted in shouts of hello Minister.
Emilio laughed, then shook hands all around before introducing Marissa.
/*/
Scorpius got up off the couch to go stand in front of Emilio. "Up Meel. Want up Meel."
Emilio glanced at Hermione before picking up her son. When she nodded, Emilio picked Scorp up. "It's been a while since cousin Meel has seen you. You are getting so big."
Scorpius smiled as he patted Emilio's cheeks then slid to the floor where he proceeded to walk around the room naming his uncle, cousins and aunts. "Kim, Matt, uncle Arry, Anna, Set, Sal, Sayna, Meel, Mela, Baise and Teo." Then turning in a circle, he shouted. "Mine. All mine."
Everyone had a good laugh at Scorpius' antics.
When Scorpius finally got to Marissa, he turned to look at his mum before turning back to purse his lips and let out a resounding no.
"That's not nice Scorp. Say hello to Marissa."
Laying his head against Hermione's leg, Scorp ignored his mum's instructions. "Hungy mum, want tips."
"Okay hungry boy. Let's go eat. No chips. Mela and Kim have made a lovely meal."
"Everybody to the table," called out Carmela.
Fausto came through the floo just as everyone sat down. Scorpius who already had his food pointed a chicken leg in Fausto's direction. "Fawto mum. Fawto. Mine."
Hermione smiled at her precocious son, yet felt sad he had mentioned everyone except his daddy. She couldn't let that be their life.
/*/
As if Hermione had spoken her thoughts out loud, Blaise shared the anecdote about how mental Draco had gone the morning Hermione went into labor. They knew because Harry had told all the cousins about Draco' state when he arrived at the house that morning.
The story garnered big laughs until Scorpius upended his plate and began to cry. "Want Daco. Want daddy."
Blaise offered an immediate apology, but Hermione told him not to be silly because she still had to sit down with Scorpius to explain things. "I'm going to excuse myself and Scorp. My little man needs a wash. The dinner was amazing. Thank you."
Everyone was quiet, because everyone but Emilio and Marissa had laughed at the story. Blaise wasn't the only guilty one.
"Use those wands boys," ordered Carmela. "Witches cooked, wizards clean up. Since you upset the dinner table Mr. Zabini, you can take the lads out for dessert because you'll get none here. Go ahead. Get it done."
Blaise, Theo, Sal and Seth jumped up like their trousers were on fire. The dining room and kitchen were clean in five minutes, after which, the single wizards made themselves scarce.
/*/
Matt and Kim revisited their plans for the night while Emilio stepped into the study to pay his respects to Elder Malfoy who was very happy someone remembered he was sitting over the mantel. They held a short conversation with Emilio promising to stop back soon.
By the time Emilio got back to the living room, it had been decided they would get out for a bit. It was somewhat late, but it would still be nice to get out of the house.
Matt invited Harry, Hannah, Gas and Seana to come along as well, but they declined.
"Have a good time. Nice meeting you Marissa," said Carmela having her sentiment echoed by the others.
"Let's watch a bit of telly," suggested Hannah. "I think we should give Hermione some time alone with Scorp in case she is trying to explain about Draco. He may not understand the whole of it, but Scorp is smart. He'll understand that daddy is gone."
"I agree," said Carmela. "Why don't you spend time with Harry tonight Hannah? I'll help Hermione if she needs it."
"Yes, Hannah. Why don't you see about your husband tonight?"
"Don't embarrass me Potter, or you'll find yourself kipping up here on the couch."
Harry raised his eyebrows, but was not about to be silenced. "Understood love. However, if you had stayed away from me one more night, I would have embarrassed you in the middle of the living room."
Hannah took Harry by the hand and pulled him up off the couch. "Let's go rubbish mouth. We'll see everyone in the morning. Goodnight."
"Mum, dad," added Gas. "Seana and I will be leaving as well. We'll see you at 6:00 tomorrow. Love you."
"Love you," echoed Seana. "See you both tomorrow."
/*/
"It's just us," said Carmela snuggling up to Fausto. Then she went quiet.
"What is it sweetie? Whenever you go quiet, I think you're plotting something."
"How insulting. I am not plotting when I go quiet. I'm thinking."
"Alright then. What are you thinking?" Smirked Fausto, moving away as Carmela tried to give him a pinch.
"I'm thinking," she said with an exaggerated pause. "That Seana is pregnant."
"Pregnant," shouted Fausto. "That's wonderful.
"Shhh. I said I think. If she is, they must want to keep it quiet until Seana is far enough along to be out of danger. Gas is treating her like she'll break in two. Want to have a wager? Wouldn't having another grandchild be fantastic?"
"Having another grandchild would be fantastic," Fausto repeated as he leaned over to kiss his wife. "But you'll get no wager from me. I'll wait in silence until they give us the news."
"If….. they're pregnant."
"Are you serious? You're never wrong. I'll turn off the television. Time to floo home."
/*/
Hermione didn't really whisk Scorpius home for a bath. Her son's plaintive comment made her realize there wouldn't ever be a good time for her to try and explain the situation. Draco was gone, never to see his son again, and vice versa. She wasn't sure of how much her little man would understand, but she had to try to explain.
"Scorp, mum wants to tell you something. Will you be a big boy and listen?"
"Jamas, potty mum."
"Listen to mum. I'll get your pajamas and potty in a minute. I want to explain about daddy."
"Daddy, daddy, daddy. Want Daco mum. Want daddy."
Hermione bowed her head for several seconds fighting back tears for what she and Scorpius would never again have. "I know you want daddy, but daddy is gone. He had an accident, and is gone."
Summoning a magical, moving photo of the three of them from her purse, Hermione put it in Scorpius' little hands.
Placing his little finger on Draco's moving portrait, Scorpius gave Hermione a sad look. "Mine mum. Daco mine mum."
"Yes love. Daddy is yours and will always be yours. You just won't be able to see him anymore."
As Hermione sat there explaining life, or the loss of, an idea clicked in the back of her mind. She needed to speak with Harry, Carmela and…. Louis.
Hermione allowed Scorpius to take the photo to bed with him. She didn't know if it was the right thing to do, but it was what her mind was telling her to do. She would address the subject another time, and keep addressing it until Scorp understood. His daddy loved him, but he was gone.
By the time Hermione pulled the covers up on Scorpius, his eyes were closing, but he hadn't let go of the photo of him, his mum and his Daco.
/*/
After Scorp fell asleep, Hermione allowed herself time to shed some tears. These particular tears weren't for herself, or her situation. They were for her son. Even though he was too young to understand the enormity of it all, he knew he wasn't seeing his daddy. Hermione felt a bit disingenuous as she sat there wondering if she was putting more on Scorpius than necessary. He was two going on three. Was she making it more traumatic for him than necessary? She'd do everything she could to keep Draco alive in his son's eyes, but was that good or bad. Should she allow their son to absorb and filter at his own rate, or should she keep pushing what was gone?
Lying down beside Scorp, Hermione pulled him close. As upset as she had gotten with Louis for daring to imply something might happen to her son, she was afraid of that very thing. What magical potion, salve or spell could she use to protect her son from the things that might harm him?
/*/
Kim and Marissa had just stepped away to use the ladies while Matt gazed around the room trying to figure out a way to say what he had to say. He respected his cousin, but knew him too well. The hopes Emilio had long ago relegated to the back recesses of his mind were surfacing once again. Matt didn't think this was good for anyone.
"Emilio?"
Emilio turned to face his cousin. "I know what you're going to say Matt, but you're wrong. I do have some modicum of propriety. Marissa…."
"Stop Emilio. Marissa is a shill, nothing more. I'm asking you to stay away from Hermione, because anything you do right now might set the tone for any interaction between you and she down the road. Don't…"
Matt stopped himself in mid sentence as Marissa and Kim returned to the table.
"It's been fun gentlemen, but they are flashing lights for last drink, last dance and last conversation," said Kim grabbing Matt's hand as she sat down." Shall we be going?"
Matt and Emilio stood at the same. Neither looking at the other. As far as Matt was concerned, this conversation wasn't over. He had listened to Emilio. It was now time for Emilio to listen to him.
The two couples said their goodbyes at the front doors and immediately apparated off in different directions.
/*/
Kim didn't miss much and she hadn't missed the suddenly frigid demeanor between her husband and Emilio. "What did I miss?" She asked stepping out of her dress. "Did something happen between you and Emilio?"
"Nothing happened Kim. You looked lovely tonight. Come here and let me help you out of those knickers."
Laughing, Kim pranced over to her husband. Leaning down as Matt removed her panties, she whispered in his ear. "Way to change the subject Mr. Lozio."
"You're wrong Mrs. Lozio. There's no subject to change. I'm just trying to get some loving."
"Well here I am love. Take what you need."
/**/
On Sunday morning, both the house of Maida and the house of Lozio slept in. No one except Harry stirred before noon, and he was only up because he wanted to check on Hermione and Scorpius. Grabbing a biscuit from the counter, Harry quietly flooed through to Carmela's hoping he wasn't making a nuisance of himself.
Calling softly from the floo, Harry was answered by Fausto's dulcet tones. "Come in Harry. Have a cup of coffee with me. I heard Hermione stirring earlier, but she hasn't come out of the room."
"Hold that cup of coffee for me Fausto. I want to check on Hermione and Scorp."
"Fine," Faust replied. "If she doesn't answer your knock, leave it until later. Let Hermione get her rest."
"Yes dad," Harry answered with a chuckle. "I will not wake my sister."
Harry was back in two minutes to drink his coffee. "No answer. I'll just finish this and get back to Hannah. I'll catch up with Hermione later."
Fausto and Harry enjoyed their coffee in companionable silence. When he finished, Harry clapped Fausto on the back before stepping into the floo.
/*/
It might have seemed to Harry that he was the only one awake, however, he was wrong. Matt has awakened about 10:30, kissed Kim then left the house on an errand. Kim didn't question his errand because she was certain Matt was going to Emilio's. Some thing or some word had passed between them the previous night and it wasn't sitting well with Matt.
Kim turned on her side and fell back to sleep.
/*/
Matt apparated to Emilio's home and knocked on the door. He had permissions to land in the house, but this morning he didn't want to intrude if Emilio had brought Marissa home with him.
"Good morning Matt," greeted Emilio. "Fairly early for a visit. Come on through. I was just having breakfast."
"I'm not intruding, am I?" Matt asked, not moving from the front door.
"No Matt. You aren't intruding. Are you here to see if I had an overnight guest, or to finish the conversation you started last night?"
"A little of both Emilio. We all have our needs."
"We've never discussed my sex life before. I don't see any reason why we should start now. I assure you my needs are being met."
"Of that I'm sure cousin. There seems to be a witch in your face every way you turn. I just wish you'd get serious about one of them."
Emilio started to say he was serious about one of them, but realized the joke wouldn't go over well with Matt. "Hopefully, I'll find the right witch before I'm eighty. Until then, I'll just have to keep looking."
Matt took a piece of sausage from the platter, but didn't do anything except look at the piece of food. "We have shared many things Emilio, and I consider you my most trusted confidante. You have told me things that were probably better left unsaid, and I never condemned you. However, it's time for you to listen."
"Before you begin to chastise me, may I ask if you realize I'm a grown man? A grown man who only has one fucking wish," snapped Emilio. "One wish Matt. That's all. So, before you tell me again to stay away from Hermione, or call the witch I have on my arm a shill. Let me be clear about my mindset. My wish will always only be a wish. I have managed to remain polite, courteous and respectful these past five years and will continue to do so. What part am I getting wrong?"
"I didn't come out this early on a Sunday morning to upset you. My apologies. I have obviously overstepped the bounds of our friendship. I'll just leave this conversation here. Kim will be wondering where I am. Thanks for the sausage."
"Sit down Matt," ordered Emilio. "Please."
Matt sat. "In the past two days, I have snapped and shouted at Seth and now I've upset you. It might be time for me to assess my own thinking."
"You and your family are all under stress," Emilio advised. "I'm certain a burst of temper can be overlooked. It's true we've never had a cross word between us. That may only be because you took everything as hypothetical. Now, through a gory twist of fate, you think I might go after a dream, a wish. Relax cousin. I won't. If I'm meant to have a significant other, I'll meet someone. If not, I'll continue to give the witches a run for their money. Perhaps, I'll start banging around with Blaise and Seth. We can be the three lotharios."
Matt laughed out loud as he walked around the table to hug his cousin. "If that day ever comes, I will disown you."
A thoughtful looking Emilio looked straight into the face of his cousin to make a somewhat bitter reply. "When you walked in here this morning, I thought that was what it had come to. I'm glad to be wrong. Please trust in me. Now, for news of the week. I'm quietly looking at another post. I've heard rumors that Fazil Accardi, Head of the Department for International Development is moving on. I even have my replacement if I can talk him into leaving Spain. You might remember James Wooley."
"I remember. He was your assistant when Seth and I first came to Milan. I thought he left to run his own department."
"He did, but that was only because there wasn't an opening here. I've put out feelers to James. He is more than interested in taking over as Minister of Acquisitions."
/*/
It wasn't hard for Matt to connect the dots. Heading the Department for International Development meant lots of travel and time away from Milan. Emilio was effectively trying to take himself out of the picture. As hard as he loved Hermione, Emilio was aware he had to get over it because she had married and was now the widow of Draco Malfoy. However, it would be even harder being in love with her when she was, in a manner of speaking, single. Just knowing his cousin, Matt could figure out how extremely painful it was for Emilio to see a chance, but know he would never be able to act on that chance. When she was married, there was no hope. But now…..
"That's a big step. Have you thought this through Emilio? International Development is a beast of a position. You'd never be stationary. A month here. A year there. Let me tell you why I think you're doing this."
"It isn't etched in stone Matt," Emilio replied solemnly. "The position can't even be opened for posting until Accardi puts in his papers. I'm simply letting you know I'm thinking about it."
"This is bull shite. You're running away. You cannot face losing Hermione twice. You realize as a beautiful, wealthy widow, she'll have wizards vying to take care of her and Scorpius."
Gazing at the wall in front of him, Emilio had no answer. Well, he had an answer, but he wasn't going to speak it out loud. That would make him as much of a cad as Draco had been when he began pursuing Hermione while she was dating him. He'd rip his own heart out if he had to stand by and watch Hermione fall in love with someone else.
"What, no answer?" Matt asked scathingly. "Tell me you're not running away because you're too frightened to be one of those wizards at her door. Tell me," Matt shouted losing control. "It's just you and me here, so I'll lay it out. You are good enough. You have suffered through unrequited love for so long, I think you're the best man for her. Not today, tomorrow or the next day, but sometime in the future after a reasonable amount of time has passed, you should speak up for yourself. And here I was, thinking you'd make some inexcusable move. I was so wrong. You want to fucking run away."
Emilio took a few second to get his thoughts in order. His cousin had said the unthinkable out loud. Matt had said what he himself felt. He was good enough for Hermione. He could love her better than any wizard, but…..
"As much as I have burdened you with the comings and goings of Hermione Malfoy, I've never come out to say what I really feel."
Matt picked up another piece of sausage. This time popping it into his mouth. Taking the time to chew, Matt finally replied to Emilio."
"No you haven't cousin. You're much more polished than that. However, I'm neither dumb nor blind. I realize you have lived with the idea that without interference, you and Hermione could have made up and got on with your lives."
"You're too smart for your own good Mr. Lozio." Emilio replied with a laugh. "My only fear is that even if I waited ten years to approach Hermione, after Draco, she wouldn't be able to see me as a partner or lover. There you have it. You now know my wish and my fear."
Matt grabbed one more piece of sausage before heading for the door and leaving a last word. "Don't give up Emilio, and for fucks sake, don't take some bull shite position. Bide your time. I'll help."
A hopeful Emilio sat at the table picking over the remains of breakfast, wondering if he and Matt were formidable enough to counter real life.